AMHERST AREA HOLIDAY GIFT CARD MATCH RETURNS WITH $13,000 INVESTMENT

DATE: Thursday, November 30, 2023, 10:00am
VENUE: Amherst Visitor Information Center, Downtown Amherst

UMassFive College Credit Union leads the 2023 Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Gift Card Match with a $2,500 investment in the Amherst Area Gift Card program. Curran & Keegan Financial returns to match it with their $2,500 continued investment along with supporting sponsors bankESB, and the Amherst Business Improvement District to raise this year’s Amherst Area Holiday Gift card match to a total of $7,500. Together, are making this year’s $7,500 Holiday Gift Card match a reality, creating a $13,000 direct reinvestment in local businesses.

“At UMassFive, one of our core beliefs is that when our local businesses succeed, we all succeed. With this in mind, when the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce approached us to be the lead sponsor for this year’s match, we emphatically said yes! We are humbled to play the lead role in supporting this important shop local initiative heading into the holiday season,” shares Craig A Boivin, Vice President of Marketing.

The match enables the Amherst Area Gift Card program to sell 300 $50 gift cards for $26 each ($1 service charge per card). The match will be sold exclusively at the Visitor Information Center at 35 South Pleasant St. in Amherst starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 30, and the typical office hours are weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Only two gift cards will be sold per person or per family. Sales will be in-person only on a first-come, first-served basis, and there will be no advance sales.

On November 30, you will find UMassFive College Credit Union will be demonstrating their appreciation for all who come out and purchase these matched gift cards a thank you cup of hot cocoa for prioritizing shopping local this holiday season.

How do you get your Holiday Gift Card?
This match enables our Amherst Area Gift Card program to sell 300 $50 gift cards for $26 each ($1 service charge per card). The match will be sold exclusively at our Visitor Information Center at 35 S. Pleasant St. We will open at 10am on November 30. Our typical office hours are M-F 10am to 4 pm and Saturdays 10:30 am – 2 pm. Here is the not so fine print:
● Only two gift cards per person/per family.
● No advance sales or reservations.
● In person sales.
● First come, first served.

Bonus
The launch of this year’s Holiday Amherst Area Gift Card match day on November 30 kicks off Amherst-wide holiday events focused on supporting local, including the Ever Merry Maple Lighting on Friday, Dec. 1 beginning at 4 p.m. at the North Common in downtown Amherst; and a Sip & Shop Stroll with a Maker’s Market will take place in downtown Amherst on Thursday, Dec. 14.

“UMassFive College Credit Union continues to find ways to support local. Together, with our other sponsors, they demonstrate the value of small businesses and their positive social and economic impact in our communities. They know that supporting our small businesses contributes to our local economy, creates jobs, and nurtures local innovation and growth. Together, they are helping you prioritize local this holiday season,” shares Claudia Pazmany, Executive Director of the Amherst Area Chamber.